Assaulted for a Necklace

My mom was attacked in Sarajevo about four weeks ago.

It was in the middle of the day, on a crosswalk in her neighbourhood, with many people around, even with her friend right next to her. Someone from behind kicked her on the back, and pulled on her necklace. He tripped her feet under her and she fell to the ground. She saw the necklace on the pavement, and as she started to reach for it, he grabbed it and said "how are you doing, mam?!" She got up and even started running after him, but he took off. Her friend was in shock and wasn't able to do or say anything.

Few months ago, someone also tried to rip of that necklace on her. It's just a gold chain right around the neck. She always had it on, even when sleeping, swimming, bathing. That time the person just yanked the necklace few times, she fell to the ground, but when the necklace wouldn't come off, he ran away.

But this time, because he knocked her down, she fell with full force on her right hand, and broke her wrist. The policeman she approached there took her to the emergency room at the orthopedic department, and she found out it was a really bad fracture. The wrist was all twisted, swollen, and hurt so much she thought she'll faint. They worked on adjusting the bones, but said such case is usually for surgery, and if she was 20 years younger, they would operate. The health care in Bosnia is in a sad state, and older people are often treated as if they don't need to be helped out.

After a week in the splint, they took another x-ray and told her it doesn't look very good, but they put the cast anyway. She was hopeful it was going good because she could move the fingers, the bruising went down, and the pain was bearable. But, after another week, another doctor who was doing the x-ray that day told her it's not good at all. He basically told her that if she wants to leave it that way that she'd have to sign a consent form because he couldn't let it go just like that. When he said it that way of course she realized it needs to be fixed. So, two weeks after the fracture, they broke the bones again to adjust them correctly. With no meds. Oh, the pain! I can't even imagine it. But, the x-ray after that showed a significant improvement, and the doctor gave her two thumbs up.

She has been in pain ever since then, and just in the last few days it has gotten a bit better. The arm is still swollen, and she has to keep it elevated. She is right-handed, so EVERYTHING is a challenge. I know; I was in the same position a year ago when I broke my elbow. She has another checkup in a few days, and I am praying all bones are in place where they should be. There is not much I can do for her from here, and there is not much she would let me do, like pay someone to come help her. I was at least able to order her some food and cooked meals delivered.

It will take a long time for her to get back strength and motion in that wrist, but right now she is taking it one day at a time. A lot lays on the Thursday checkup.